Steelers Insider Shuts Down Will Howard Trade Buzz Before Training Camp Battle

The Pittsburgh Steelers are just a few weeks away from reporting to training camp at Saint Vincent College, where several position battles could have significant ramifications. One of the most closely watched competitions is the battle between Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. The winner will earn the role of primary backup to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As for the loser, many expect the Steelers to release them. However, some fans believe Howard could become a trade asset if he doesn't win the job. One local insider has poured cold water on that idea and offered a reality check.

Ray Fittipaldo responded to a fan's speculation that Howard could have multiple potential trade suitors. He made it clear that simply isn't the case.

“He’s never played in even a preseason and he’s a sixth-round pick,” Fittipaldo said. “Why would he?”

The Howard hype is too much

While there is value in a quarterback who led his team to a national championship, that alone doesn't make him a top NFL prospect. Howard enjoyed an outstanding season at Ohio State in 2024, leading the Buckeyes to their first national title in 10 years. However, there's a reason he fell to the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Although he still possesses upside, much of the optimism surrounding him stems from the fact that he remains an unknown commodity. With that uncertainty comes hope that he can develop into something he may ultimately not become.

That said, Howard has several things working in his favor. First, he essentially spent his rookie season in a redshirt role, sitting behind Rodgers and Rudolph while adjusting to life in the NFL. He also possesses sneaky athleticism that drew praise in his scouting reports. Finally, he ranked among the most accurate deep passers in college football during the 2024 season. Those are certainly encouraging traits.

Still, it's worth circling back to his draft status. There's a reason several quarterbacks came off the board well before him.

Howard isn't the second coming of Tom Brady or Brock Purdy

If there's one argument Howard supporters frequently make on social media, it's that Tom Brady and Brock Purdy were also late-round picks. The reality is that those two are the exception, not the rule. A quarterback's success in the NFL depends on many factors, including the talent around him and the intangibles he brings to the position.

Howard may arguably be more physically gifted than Purdy, though the gap isn't substantial. Neither quarterback has elite arm strength, but many of Purdy's scouting reports highlighted his outstanding processing ability and command of his progressions. Those traits became evident early in his rookie season and played a major role in his rapid rise. Howard has yet to prove he possesses those same qualities.

That could certainly change over the next few months. Working with Rodgers and new head coach Mike McCarthy could help Howard take a significant step forward. For now, though, his trade value isn't something Steelers fans should count on.